An assessment of the native invertebrate pollinator community and the plants they use in native prairie and restored grasslands of the Conservation Reserve Program in eastern North Dakota

1) Refine the pollinator model to allow for the estimation of the number of hives that can be supported in any given landscape setting 2) Extend the pollinator model to address interactions between weather, land cover, and bees that affect levels of honey production 3) Integrate the findings from the USDA-ARS field study into the pollinator model to refine forecasts of how land-use features in the PPR affect national agricultural pollination services [see Narratives for more information.]

Categories: Project

Pollination webs to guide management of rare and invasive species in a changing climate

Badlands National Park is home to nine plant species considered rare in South Dakota, as well as several invasive exotic plants, many of which vie for pollinator services with the rare species. The purpose of this study was to document the interaction webs that link rare and invasive plants with pollinators and, consequently, with each other. Understanding these linkages will guide management of both the rare and invasive species. The list of insect species associated with the webs and ancillary trapping will provide a baseline assessment of the pollinator fauna at Badlands National Park which can be expanded upon and reassessed over time and in response to climatic changes. To date, 236 bee species have been...

Categories: Project

Understanding the linkage between floral resources and honey bee health and productivity on US Department of Agriculture conservation lands

Colony Collapse Disorder has resulted in widespread loss of US honey bee colonies and heightened societal concern over honey bee health and reduced pollination services for agricultural crops. The Farm Service Agency has expressed substantial interest in promoting habitat for honey bee colonies residing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands throughout the Great Plains. Our team is conducting a multi-state study to identify specific plants that can be readily implemented into the CRP for improving pollinator health in North Dakota. This study will provide managers with a means to evaluate cost-effective seeding mixes to benefit pollinators for multiple conservation programs. This project was started in 2015...

Categories: Project